Resonator attaching device



Aug. 17 1926. 1,596,703

S. A. WILTSIE RESONATOR ATTACHING DEVICE Filed May 16, 1924 PatentedAug. 17, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SPENCER A. WILTSIE, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO C. BRUNO & SON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

RESONATOR ATTACHING DEVICE.

Application filed May 16, 1924. Serial No. 713,735.

This invention is designed to attach a resonator to an instrument, suchas a banjo, so arranging it that it may be readily attached and detachedto vary the tone of the instrument and may be readily fitted todifferent instruments and may be conveniently carried when not in use.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as followsFig. 1 shows a plan View of the resonator.

Fig. 2 an enlarged section of a side wall of a banjo, showing theattaching means thereon. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 in 15Fig. 1. I

1 mark-s the banjo frame, 2 the head, 3 the bridge, 4 the strings, 5 thehead shoulder. and 6 the clamping ring for the head oper-- ating on theshoulder 5, the same being secured by the usual clamps 6 in order to putthe head under tension.

The resonator plate 7 is in the formof a disc having a central opening 8which opens to the body of the banjo and is of a diameter 25 to engagethe lower edge of the frame. It has a series of openings 9 extendingthrough the plate outside the frame. A resonator shell 10 is secured tothe plate, the plate preferably having a flange 7" which telecopes theedge of the shell 10 and the parts are secured together by indentures 7Key-hole slots 11 having openings 12 and radially extending slots 13'are arranged in the plate 7. Clamping bolts 14 extend through thekey-hole slots. They have the adjusting nuts 15 on their lower ends andthese nuts have a lower shoulder 16 of a size to enter the opening 12and to engage the sides of the slots 13, the neck 17 permitting of themovement in the slot 13. The upper end of the adjusting nut has a nurledhead 18 by means of which the nut may be screwed to give the bolt theright length for the particular instrument.

A clamping hook 19 extends over the ring 6. It has a loop 20 at itslower end, the end of the loop being secured by a rivet 21. The

loop has perforations 22 through which the bolt 14 extends. A spring 23is arranged within the loop and engages a collar 24 on the bolt 14.

In order to put the instrument in place all that is necessary is toplace the clamps in position in the key-hole slots, place the resonatoron the instrument and draw up the clamp so as to snap the hooks 19 overthe ring. The loops 20 make convenient handles for engaging the clamps.The radial slots extend a suflicient distance to adapt the clamps fordifferent sizes of instruments and the screw has a sufficient adjustmentto adapt the clamps to different depths of instruments. The clamps aredetachable or removable from the resonator so that when not in use theresonator may be readily packed and carried. The resonator is preferablymade of aluminum but different materials mav be used.

What I claim as new is 1. The combination of a resonator; peripherallyarranged clamps detachably securing the same to the frame of a musicalinstrument; and means for adjusting the clamps radially and axiallyrelatively to the resonator.

2. The combination of a resonator having key-hole slots; and clampshaving heads engaging the key-hole slots and detachably engaging theframe of a musical instrument.

3. The combination of a resonator; a clamp comprising a clamping hook; aloop; a bolt extending through the loop; a spring on the bolt within theloop; and means connecting the clamp with the resonator.

4. The combination of a resonator; a clamp comprising a clamping hook; aloop; a bolt extending through the loop; a spring on the bolt within theloop; and means detachabl and adjustably connecting the clamp with theresonator.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

SPENCER A. VVILTSIE.

